Ionics is a key technology for storing, converting and using energy efficiently as well as protecting the environment. There has been much progress over the years in the understanding and development of materials required for ionic devices. Examples of such materials are lithium intercalation compounds in which lithium ions can enter and exit the material without significant structural changes. Approaches to the design of ionic devices such as lithium ion batteries, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and devices using electrochromic materials. In order to overcome the tremendous problems in developing wide spread commercial applications, it is necessary to intensify efforts in fundamental materials research tremendously.

The most prominent applications of ionics are:

[1] Solid electrolyte fuel and water electrolysis cells.

[2] High energy and power density batteries utilizing superionic electrolytes and ion-electron conducting electrodes for storing energy.

[3] Supercapacitors for fast storage and delivery of electrical energy.

[4] Photogalvanic solar cells that incorporate the use of ionic materials and semiconductors.

[5] Chemical sensors.

[6] Electrochromic systems.